Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Hermione	By : SweetHoney Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 7785 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the HP series and am not profiting from it in any way

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Lavender waited patiently in her dorm room for Hermione to return from her visit to her uncle. She wished Hermione's uncle would realize how dangerous this mission of theirs was becoming and call off the whole thing, and then she and Hermione could return to their old lives. But secretly, she wished he wouldn't and let them continue with their mission. Things have gotten quite exciting ever since she learned of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return, though it did terrify her.

"He's keeping something from me." said Hermione to Lavender as she entered her dorm.

"Who?" asked Lavender, "Your uncle?" she guessed.

"Yes."

"Any idea what it is?" inquired Lavender, but as soon as she saw the pensive look on Hermione's face she quickly went to her side and asked her what was wrong.

Hermione inhaled deeply and sat on her bed. "I'm not..."

"You're not what?" Lavender cautiously asked her. She was curious of Hermione's strange behavior.

Hermione didn't answer and simply lay on her bed and closed her eyes.

%

Hermione continued her facade of an overbearing Muggle born but as of late her thoughts were on what she had found out. At the end of her discussion with her uncle, Hermione excused herself, and asked if she could go to her room and retrieve her lyre, since she was growing bored of the violin. That was when Lucius offered to purchase her a new instrument of her choosing, but Hermione declined and went to her room. She did retrieve her lyre, but Hermione had excused herself for another reason. She wanted to review the memories of her childhood, her memories of her parents to be exact. And through that she was able to uncover the truth. What she had witnessed and heard explained a lot to her. It explained why her uncle and her aunt were cautious of her at times and why they favored her over Draco.

"Are you all right, Hermione?" inquired Lavender, who felt insecure and helpless to help Hermione. Hermione had been more silent than usual and Lavender respected her need for space so she left her to her own thoughts. During those times she had been spending a lot of time with Paverti Patil, a fellow dorm mate she had recently befriended. Paverti was wonderful, they could talk about anything and everything for hours. Lavender did enjoy her company but... Paverti was not Lyra.

"I'm fine."

"But -" Lavender snapped her mouth shut after catching Hermione's eyes. By the look in her eyes, Lavender knew that she didn't want to talk about it and not to bring it up again. But her curiosity was killing her. She wanted to ask Hermione what happened at her uncle's manor and why did it have such an effect on her like this, but Hermione had her lips sealed tight and had closed herself off. She knew Hermione hadn't slept well in days, though her bed curtains were closed, she could tell. And she has caught tears cascading her cheeks at odd times, recently. Others have not noticed it as of yet, since they didn't watch Hermione as closely as she did.

"Are you going down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast?" asked Lavender, hopefully. She thought she could use this opportunity to sit with her with the excuse of holiday greetings.

"No, Quirrell told me to wait alone in the girls' bathroom through the feast."

Lavender's face fell at her reply and she gasped, "You can't go - what if he plans to hurt you!"

"If he wanted to hurt me then, he would've done so a long time ago. Besides, he told me he had a fool proof plan for me to get close to Harry Potter."

"What's the plan?"

"He didn't say." Hermione said, "Also I need you to causally mention that I'm in the girls' bathroom, alone, make sure Potter's in hearing distant."

"All right," Lavender gave Hermione a determined look and set forth to complete her mission in the Great Hall. She was excited that Hermione finally spoke more than a few words to her.

Hermione made her way to the bathroom and picked out a stall to sit and wait in. While there, she pondered what Quirrell's plans were. How was she going to get close to Potter, seeing as she was quite rude and bossy to him? And if Hermione knew anything about boys...They'll despise her, especially the Weasely. Tired from lack of sleep and overworking herself, Hermione left the stall to splash some icy cold water on her face. After wiping the liquid from her face with her hands, Hermione's senses were assaulted by a foul stench. What it was Hermione couldn't tell, for she had never smelled anything like it. The stench was so dreadful that it made Hermione's stomach clench and she retched a few times. Hermione covered her nose and held her breath so she wouldn't faint.

A low grunt was heard, as was the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet coming from outside the door. It also sounded like something large was being scraped across the stone floor. Hermione's head snapped to the door when she heard it open. It was a horrible sight. Twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long. The troll waggled its long ears, and slouched slowly into the room. Hermione was frightened and in shock, but she managed to hold in her scream. Slowly and as silently as she could, she stepped away from the sink, her mind frantically searching for a hiding place before the troll could spot her. She told herself she was going to be fine as long as she didn't lose control of herself. She could make it to the door and escape and then lock it in the bathroom. But all of hopes were lost the moment she heard the door slam shut and the clicking of the lock. Her control lost, Hermione gave out a high, petrified scream. Upon hearing her screams, the troll spotted her and was advancing on her, knocking the sinks off the walls as it went.

Hermione was petrified, she couldn't move even if she wanted too. And she didn't even hear Harry and Ron enter.

"Confuse it!" Harry said desperately to Ron, and, seizing a tap, he threw it as hard as he could against the wall.

The troll stopped a few feet from Hermione. It lumbered around, blinking stupidly, to see what had made the noise. Its' mean little eyes saw Harry. It hesitated, then made for him instead, lifting its club as it went.

"Oi, pea-brain!" yelled Ron from the other side of the chamber, and he threw a metal pipe at it. The troll didn't even seem to notice the pipe hitting its shoulder, but it heard the yell and paused again, turning its ugly snout toward Ron instead, giving Harry time to run around it.

"Come on, run, run!" Harry yelled at Hermione, trying to pull her toward the door, but she couldn't move, she was still flat against the wall, her mouth wide with terror.

The shouting and the echoes seemed to be driving the troll berserk. It roared again and started toward Ron, who was nearest and had no way to escape. Harry then did something that was both very brave and very stupid: He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll's neck from behind. The troll couldn't feel Harry hanging there, but even a troll will notice if you stick a long bit of wood up its nose, and Harry's wand had still been in his hand when he'd jumped - it had gone straight up one of the troll's nostrils. Howling with pain, the troll twisted and flailed its club, with Harry clinging on for dear life; any second, the troll was going to rip him off or give him a terrible blow with the club. Hermione had sunk to the floor in fright; Ron pulled out his own wand - not knowing what he was going to do he heard himself cry the first spell that came into his head:

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

The club flew suddenly out of the troll's hand, rose high, high up into the air, turned slowly over - and dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner's head. The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.

Harry got to his feet. He was shaking and out of breath. Ron was standing there with his wand still raised, staring at what he had done. It was Hermione who spoke first.

"Is it - dead?"

"I don't think so," said Harry, "I think it's just been knocked out." He bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll's nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue. "Urgh - troll boogers." He wiped it on the troll's trousers.

A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the three of them look up. They hadn't realized what a racket they had been making, but of course, someone downstairs must have heard the crashes and the troll's roars. A moment later, Professor McGonagall came bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart.

At the sight of the whimpering professor, Hermione remembered how he had sent her to the bathroom and realized that this whole thing - the troll - was a part of his plan. Was he trying to kill her? Because this plan of his was too far-fetch for her to get close to Potter. Hermione glared at Quirrell, who met her gaze and gave her a sharp nod, and glanced at McGonagall. Hermione continued to glare at him for a little while longer before she did what he was silently urging her to do.

She looked, and saw Professor Snape bent over the troll and McGonagall was looking at Ron and Harry, not noticing her, since she was so focused on the boys up front.

"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"

Snape gave Harry a swift, piercing look.

"Please, Professor McGonagall - they were looking for me." Hermione stepped up and told her.

"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall gasped.

"I went looking for the troll because I - I thought I could deal with it on my own - you know, because I've read all about them." Hermione began making up a story, "If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."

"Well - in that case..." said Professor McGonagall, staring at the three of them, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"

Hermione hung her head in shame at upsetting her favorite professor.

"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."

Hermione left without a word and set off to find Lavender to tell her of the events that just occurred.

%

Hermione marched to her dorm room without stopping, and waited for Lavender to join her.

"What happened?" asked Lavender, after warding the door and casting a silencing charm. "Quirrell said a troll got in!"

"Yes, the troll he brought it in."

"What? Oh! Ly, Ly!" exclaimed Lavender, embracing Hermione.

"He sent the troll into the bathroom to attack me."

Lavender squealed.

"Potter and Weasely came in and saved the day."

"Wow! That's so heroic - tell me! Please - you have to tell me every detail!"

And so, Hermione recounted her experience in detail and soothe a tear fell Lavender, who was terrified for her safety. Soon, Hermione told her to let go. She had to wait for Potter and Weasely by the door to properly thank them. As time went by, Hermione saw that Querrill's scheme actually worked: Harry and Ron accepted her as a friend because of the troll incident, thinking she was overly grateful to them. She confronted Quirrell of the danger he placed her in, but he only sobbed saying that his master made him and he knew she would be all right since she was a Lestrange after all. Hermione stared at him for a moment and returned to her dorm to think his words over.

"I still think he was trying to kill you." Lavender stated.

"He was not." said Hermione.

"What do you mean Ly,Ly - he sent a mountain troll on you!"

"The troll and I were meant to be a distraction, while he observed the three headed dog."

"How'd you find that out?"

"Walls talk."

%

"This is too hard!" exclaimed Ron, throwing his quill on the desk and rubbed his eyes.

Harry and Hermione looked up from their books and sighed. It was late in the afternoon and they were in the middle of doing their homework.

"What part do you not understand?" asked Hermione. She placed a bookmark inside her book and went to sit in front of Ron and his books. "I'll help you." she said, meeting his eyes.

"Well... thanks." said Ron, reaching his hand out.

Hermione picked up his parchment to look it over when she noticed Ron's hand.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Your homework?" he hesitantly asked her.

"Oh..." Hermione blinked, understanding his meaning, "You want to copy it?"

"Yeah..." Ron nodded, wondering why she was asking him. She was the one offered to help him after all.

"No." said Hermione, firmly.

"What? But you said-"

"I said 'I would help you' not I'll let you copy my work."

"So...you're not going to let me copy it?"

"How will you learn?"

"By looking at yours?" stated Ron.

Harry looked from Ron to Hermione. Clearly, from the angry look in Hermione's face and Ron's determined one, things were going to get ugly. It looked like one of them was going to jump over the table and attack the other.

"How nice of you to offer your help, Hermione." said Harry, slamming his book on the table loud enough to get their attention, "I already finished mine. Would you read it through for me too?"

Hermione took one last look at Ron and turned to Harry, "I'd loved too." she said, taking his parchment.

Tired of doing his own homework, without the help from Hermione that he thought he was going to get, Ron suggested they go out for a short walk. Hermione had conjured up the bright blue fire inside a jam jar because Ron wouldn't stop complaining about the cold weather, even though he was the one who suggest they take the break, and Harry was shivering. Professor Snape came upon them, with a noticeable limp, and scolded Harry about taking library books outside of the school. Hermione arched an eyebrow to this. The book belonged to her uncle's library, not the school. She was about ready to say that, but thought better of it and kept her mouth closed. After Snape confiscated it and left, Hermione could not help but think that he was being childish and petty. She also agreed with Harry that Snape just made that rule up.

Harry was restless for the rest of the day. Hermione and Ron were by his side, but both kept their mouths shut for they knew how upset he was. They also did not want to be the one Harry would vent his frustrations out on. They made their way back to the common room and sat next to a window as they try to finish the rest of their homework.

"I'm going to get it back!" declared Harry as he stood from his chair.

"Better you than me," Hermione and Ron said together. Both stopped what they were doing and awkwardly looked at each other. It was the first time they ever agreed on something and it felt unsettling to the both of them. Hermione went back to looking through the rest of Harry's homework, hoping this incident would never happen again. Ron blinked a few times, making certain that no one was watching and took one last look at Hermione before returning to his homework.

Sometime after Harry departed, Hermione realized that she should have stopped him. She could have told him that if he defied Snape; Snape might give him detention on the dates of his Quidditch practice in order to torture him and make him unprepared for when he plays his games. Harry liked Quidditch so much that it would have stopped him from pulling a stunt like this. But alas, she was only there to observe him, not babysit him. If Harry wanted to be a troublemaker, then go right ahead. She wouldn't get in his way as long as it doesn't affect her.

"Did you get it?" Ron asked as Harry joined them.

Harry was sweating and his hair was more of a mess than usual.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked.

In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen. Snape and Filch were inside the staffroom, alone. Snape was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages. Snape was mumbling about being attacked by the three headed dog.

"You know what this means." he finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick that he let that troll in to make a diversion!"

Hermione's eyes were wide. Harry was more intelligent than what she gave him credit for. He figured out the plan already, only he didn't have the real culprit. It was Quirrell, not Snape who was behind all this. Though, she couldn't blame Harry for guessing wrong. Standing next to Snape would make Quirrell look like a helpless little worm. If only Harry knew the truth. Not that she was going to tell him. Quirrell would kill her, not to mention He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She could only imagine what he's going to do to her.

"No - he wouldn't," Hermione said, in an attempt to defend their Potions professor and pull Harry into the right track, without actually telling him. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe." Did that sound as lame to them as it sounded to her?

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron.

Yeah right…thought Hermione. Teachers are people too and they are equally susceptible to the desire for power and greed as anyone of them.

"I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after. What's that dog guarding?"

That was the same thing Hermione wanted to know…what was the dog guarding?

%

Ron and Hermione joined Neville, Seamus, and Dean, the West Ham fan up in the top row. As a surprise for Harry, they had painted a large banner on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined. It said Potter for President, and Dean, who was good at drawing, had done a large Gryffindor lion underneath. Then Hermione had performed a tricky little charm so that the paint flashed different colors. Hermione didn't understand what the banner meant, but Dean claimed it was a Muggle thing, when Ron asked, and that it would encourage Harry to win the game.

Hermione looked at Lavender, who was busy talking to Parvati. She was happy for her, Lavender finally made new friends and was learning how to be independent. She was much more confident than Hermione remembered and was not letting people push her around.

%

The game between Gryffindor and Slytherin progressed as any Quidditch would, dirty and violent. Hermione was not paying the game much attention as she was with Harry. She thought it was odd how her eyes would wander to Harry. Hermione brushed it off as her being worried about him. It was his first game after all, and Seekers were the most targeted, since they decide when the game would end and who gets the final one-hundred- and fifty points.

Hermione gasped seeing the Bludger nearly missing Harry's head and when his broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. At first she thought he made his broom lurch on purpose in order to dodge the Bludger but soon she began to feel that something was not right with Harry, when the broom lurched again. It was as though the broom was trying to buck him off. Hermione bit her bottom lip as she watched Harry zigzagging through the air, and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated him. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. The crowd around her gasped as they finally noticed Harry and his odd movements. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand. Hermione thought her heart had stopped from the sight of him dangling there.

"Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic - no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand." Said Hagrid.

At these words, Hermione snapped out of her trace and seized Hagrid's binoculars, looking frantically at the crowd. Quirrell! She had to find Quirrell! As soon as she placed the binoculars on her face, Hermione spotted Quirrell in the stands opposite them. He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath as was Snape, who was a few rolls behind him.

"I knew it," Hermione gasped, and turned to see Ron giving her an inquisitive stare, "Snape - look." She said quickly. Hermione held her breath, hoping he wouldn't see Quirrell.

"He's doing something - jinxing the broom," said Hermione.

"What should we do?"

"Leave it to me."

Before Ron could say another word, Hermione had disappeared. Hermione fought her way across to the stand where Quirrell stood, and was racing along the row behind him. She knocked Quirrell headfirst into the row in front and kept going. Reaching Snape, she crouched down, pulled out her wand, and whispered a few, well- chosen words. Bright blue flames shot from her wand onto the hem of Snape's robes. It took perhaps thirty seconds for Snape to realize that he was on fire. A sudden yelp told her she had done her job. Scooping the fire off him into a little jar in her pocket, she scrambled back along the row - Snape would never know what had happened.

Hermione was making her way to back to her seat when Quirrell grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the stands, demanding to know why she had knocked him over.

"Ron and Harry!" Hermione said him, "They wanted me to avenge Harry because Snape took his book, Quidditch Through the Ages. Sorry sir, it was a dare. If I didn't do it, they wouldn't become be my friends. I did it here because there's a large crowd and Snape won't spot me easily." She told him the truth of yesterday's events and added her friendship with Harry to throw him off. She knew he would have understand and believe her story, her mission was to be with Harry at all cost. For her to be with Harry; she'll have to please him in order to stay. And boys do have the tendency to dare their friends to do embarrassing and dangerous tasks.

"Very well," said Quirrell, releasing his grip on her arm. "Return to them." He said, before departing a least angry than he was before.

Hermione let out a breath of relief and joined her fellow Gryffindor in cheering of their victory.

%

Hermione was not surprised when Hagrid attempted to defend Snape when Ron told him about Snape trying to jinx Harry off him broom. Hermione had surrendered her attempt to defend Snape a long time ago, since Harry was too thick to listen to her. It seemed that he was truly had his heart set on framing Snape. There was nothing she could do at this point. Hermione was also not surprised that Hagrid knew of the three headed-dog, Fluffy. From the stories she had heard of the infamous gamekeeper, Fluffy was the least of their worries. Her Uncle Lucius once told her that fifty years ago, Hagrid let lose a horrible unknown creature about the castle. The creature devoured a girl and petrified six students. It was not reported on the Daily Prophet because the school did not want to lose its credibility. They kept the story quiet by paying off the victims' families. Hagrid was expelled, but Dumbledore gave him permission to stay on the school as its gamekeeper, claiming he felt sorry for him having no place else to go. Lucius theorized that Dumbledore was probably keeping the half-giant as a figure to intimidate the Ministry and show that he could overthrow them with his hidden army of mountain giants if they tried to interfere with his plans of letting disgusting Muggles attend the school.

"Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."

"But Snape's trying to steal it."

"Rubbish," said Hagrid again. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."

"So why did he just tried to kill Harry." cried Hermione. She figured if it was what Harry wanted, might as well go along with it to not cause any disputes between them. "I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!" She noticed that under pressure, Hagrid would get nervous and slip. If this kept up, she'd have some useful information to give to Quirrell and her uncle.

"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all three of yeh - yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel -"

"Aha!" said Harry, "so there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there."

Hagrid looked furious with himself.

Hermione mentally smiled, Harry was doing all the work for her and he didn't even know it.

%

As Christmas approached, Hermione, and everyone else, could not help but notice Draco was being even more unpleasant than usual. She knew that he was upset over Harry not only becoming a Seeker during his first year but also how he miraculously won the first game he ever played. She wanted to comfort Draco as Lyra, but did not want him to find out her secret. Also, she didn't have any sympathy towards him after witnessing how he has been treating his schoolmates, mainly Harry. That was the day Hermione began to wonder if his father was not there, would Draco have treated her as poorly as he would Harry. Would he taunt her about her parents? Not to her face he wouldn't…behind her back, secretly he might…

The thought saddened Hermione. Draco was one of the few people she truly loved, despite her constant teasing of him. If he were to really say those harsh words, even in secret, of her parents; she thought she would die that instant and her love for him would dissolve into nothing.

Hermione turned to Harry and Ron, reminding of their planned visit to the library. Hagrid tried to derailed them from their research after he found out that they were searching for Nicolas Flamel, the name he accidently let slip. But it didn't stop Harry; in fact it seemed to fuel his efforts. They searched and they searched, but to no avail. Harry and Ron were becoming frustrated and tired, since they had been spending all their free time in the library.

Hermione felt bad for not revealing to Harry and Ron that she already knew who Flamel was. After hearing the name, Hermione quickly sent an owl to her uncle and asked him to send her every book or news clipping on Professor Dumbledore he could find, claiming that she wanted to get to know their enemy a little more. It was then that she found Flamel's name and information. Nicolas Flamel is a well-known alchemist and only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone, or the Elixir of Life, a legendary substance with incredible powers. He was a close friend and partner with Hogwarts School Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

The Elixir of Life was what Quirrell wants for his lord. The Sorcerer's Stone was a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone could transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).

Hermione was more curious than she ever was before. Why does Quirrell want the stone for, since the Dark Lord is still alive? Or is he? Hermione thought back to the day when she had her first encounter with him. She knew that there was something not quite right about that day. The voice, the voice of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named; it was coming from Quirrell, and no one else was there! The only reason, Hermione could think of was that he was wearing an invisible cloak and was hiding in the school. But wanting to be certain, Hermione rushed to the library to research and see if she could find some more clues as to why she could not see him.

On her way there she saw something flying at her, it was Peeves. Hermione dodged him and continued to sprint to the library.

"Bothersome ghost!" she muttered under her breath.

Hermione halted as she realized something and fell head first on to the floor.

"Hermione!" exclaimed Lavender. She rushed to Hermione's side and helped her up.

"What happened?" asked Parvati. She and Lavender just turned a corner when she happened to see Hermione there, on the floor.

"Nothing! I fell." Hermione told them and clutched her head, trying to remember what she had realized before she fell.

"Come you need to go to the Hospital wing." declared Lavender and dragged Hermione away.

Parvati followed suit, but Lavender stopped her and told her; she could take Hermione by herself. By the worried look on Hermione's face, Lavender knew something was up and didn't want Parvati to get in the way.

"What's the matter?" asked Lavender, pulling Hermione into the bathroom and warding it.

"I forgot," said Hermione, "I just had it and I forgot!"

"Forgot what?"

"I don't know, but it's there. I just can't remember."

Lavender was worried for Hermione. She was ranting like a lunatic and not giving her a clue as to what she meant.

"I was running, and then Peeves -" Hermione gasped, then her lips slowly curled into a smiled.

"What? What is it?"

"He's a ghost." Hermione told her.

"Who?"

"Him, that's why I couldn't see him."

"Who?"

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Hermione whispered.

Lavender gasped, "You mean…he's?"

"Dead, but he's a ghost or a zombie now and he wants to be human again. He told Quirrell to get him the stone – the Sorcerer's Stone!"

"Sorcerer's Stone?" repeated Lavender.

"The stone is what the dog is guarding. It's a key ingredient to a potion that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth and was also said to be able to create life."

Lavender gasped. "So he wants to be immortal."

%

As a Christmas present, Hermione left Harry a large box of Chocolate Frogs. She hoped that he would get Dumbledore's card and see Nicolas Flamel's name there. Dumbledore cards were very common, Harry's bound to find at least four of them. That way they could move faster and gain an upper hand over Quirrell. As for Ron, she left him a box of Every Flavor Beans. Hermione had thought it over and decided to be on Harry's side, for she knew what fate lied ahead of them if Quirrell were to success.

Veralidaine laughed as they made their way to Malfoy Manor inside the carriage, Lucius sent for them.

"I had my doubts, but it was really fun." She told her, "Being Lavender is amazing."

"It's troublesome, but being Hermione is exciting...sometimes…"

"How can it not? You get to spent all that time with Harry Potter." Veralidaine batted her eyes, "What's he like, personally?"

Lyra remembered Veralidaine had asked her this question before, in the Hogwarts Express train. Back then, she didn't know Harry, therefore she answered from what she had observed as an outsider. But now, she could answer her question as a friend of Harry's.

"Troublesome, nosy, blindly courageous, recklessly bold…" and the list went on.

Veralidaine opened her mouth to speak but didn't want to interrupt Lyra and all she could say was 'wow.'

As they near the manor, Lyra discontinued her list and stared out the window.

"Ready?" Veralidaine asked her.

"Always." Replied Lyra.

"Welcome home, love." Narcissa Malfoy said, embracing Lyra.

"I missed you." Lyra said to her and kissed cheek.

Veralidaine smiled sweetly at the elder woman, "You look lovely as always madam."

Narcissa looked from one girl to another. She was astonished by both girls' transformations in just a few months. Lyra was much livelier than before, in contrast to her usual emotionless self. Lyra had a warm and friendly air around her and her face showed more than one expression. Veralidaine was much more charming and less plain. Normally Narcissa hardly noticed her. She knew the girl simply as Lyra's playmate. But Veralidaine wasn't hiding behind Lyra like she did whenever in their presents and lowering her head anymore. The girl was standing next to Lyra with her head held high. Narcissa didn't know if she was happy or sad that her beloved niece was maturing before her eyes. If Lyra had grown at a rate such as this, than how would Draco be?

"Mum!" Draco shouted, jumping out of the carriage and hugging his mother.

"Welcome home, love."

"Mum! May I bring my broom back to school?" Draco asked, with an expecting look on his face.

"Oh, Draco," Narcissa kissed his head. He hadn't changed a bit.

"As I said before, absolutely not," drawled Lucius, walking up behind Draco from the carriage. He looked down at his son, who was trying to trick his wife into over ruling him. "Off to your room, now."

Draco pressed out his bottom lip and pouted his way to his room.

Seeing what had transpired down stair, Veralidaine giggled.

"What?" Lyra curiously asked.

"Draco's home," Veralidaine said in a sing-song voice.

As if on cue, Lyra heard Draco loudly stumping his feet past her door and to his room.

"Aren't you going to greet him?" asked Veralidaine,

"Later," said Lyra as she supervised the House Elves in organizing her belongings.

Veralidaine sighed and nodded, but her excitement did not weaver. She was annoyed by Draco's behavior at Hogwarts and couldn't wait and see when Lyra gives him a taste of his own medicine. If Lyra was waiting until later to see him that means she has something wicked it planned for him and Veralidaine was correct in her assumption.

"DRACO!" Lyra exclaimed, with a large smile and ran right at him with her arms stretched out.

Draco didn't recognize Lyra instantly, mistook her for Pansy, and ran the other way. Veralidaine laughed at the scene before her and covered her ears. Draco's scream was so sharp and high that she thought she was going to go deaf, but she didn't let that stop her from enjoying his feeble attempt to escape from Lyra. Once Lyra had Draco cornered like a frightened mouse, she pulled him into a tight hug and said, "I missed you, my husband to be!"

Draco stopped his struggles and turned his head. He looked down at the girl hugging him from behind. It took him five long minutes to realize it was Lyra and not Pansy. Lyra grinned at him and kissed his flushed cheek. "Draco! My Draco!" she shouted, batting her eyelashes.

Draco screamed louder, sharper than before and renewed his efforts to escape. Veralidaine pressed her hands harder over ears. She looked at the mirrors and windows in the hall and saw little cracks around the edges; her mouth agape. She was highly impressed by Draco's vocal cords. Veralidaine looked back at Draco, who had given up trying to throw Lyra off his back and was trying to crawl away, scratching at the carpeted floor. He stopped screaming when he spotted his father advancing towards them.

"What's happened, Lyra?" Lucius demanded, "I heard you screaming."

Veralidaine was in tears at this point, and fell onto the ground. He actually mistook his own son's screams for Lyra's. Lyra was more devious than she thought, avenging their schoolmates in this way. Lyra knew Draco hated it the most when she gets all mushy and flirtatious on him. As soon as she could, Veralidaine recovered and quickly apologized to Lucius. But a smile was still plastered on her face. Draco whimpered and once again tried to crawl out from under Lyra. He thought that since his father was there, Lyra would release him. But Lyra kept her iron grip around his waist.

"Nothing, I thought I saw a spider and Draco is comforting me." Lyra told her uncle.

Lucius arched an eyebrow at Lyra, who had lazily rested her head between Draco shoulder blades. She appeared bored, yet the smirk on her face said otherwise. He then looked at his son, who was lying flat in his stomach, and sending him a desperate, pleading look. Draco's eyes were pink and swollen and his face was flushed. Lucius inclined his head and remembered how rude Draco was when he demanded his broom back and he and Narcissa are arguing over it now. Lucius was planning to punish Draco for causing a dispute between him and Narcissa, but no doubt Narcissa would have stopped him, leading them to argue some more and ruin their Christmas. But, if Lyra were to punish Draco, then Narcissa would not mind it as much as him punishing Draco.

"Very well, continue." Lucius waved his hand dismissively and turned around, returning to the master bedroom to stop Narcissa before she came to investigate.

Lyra covered Draco's mouth before he could scream for help and roughly dragged him into his room. She shut the door with a kick of her foot and locked it after releasing Draco. Lyra crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the door.

"You were acting very childish." Lyra told him. "And why were you trying to run from me?"

Draco sniffed and frowned at Lyra. "Coming at me like that-of course I'll run!" he whined.

Lyra uncrossed her arms and strides toward Draco, with her arms out, "I missed you…"

Draco shirked and backed away. Lyra stopped and put her arms down. "Why? You don't love me anymore?" Lyra demanded to know.

"Of course I don't! I never did!"

"Liar!"

"You dare call me a liar!"

"That's 'cause you are!"

"No I'm not!"

"Oh, really?" Lyra stuck her nose in the air, "Do you remember this?" She said, holding the diamond ring to his face.

Draco cocked his head and stared at the ring.

"I…" Draco pressed his lips together, trying to find an excuse. He remembered stealing that ring from his mother's jewelry box, and giving it to Lyra. Draco didn't know what came over him back then, but he certainly regretted his actions now. "I was five and mental! And I didn't know what I was doing!"

"Isn't it just like a man to spout words of love to you, and then take it back the next day?" Lyra mumbled under her breath, but purposely said it loud enough for Draco to hear. "Don't forget Draco, you were the one who asked for my hand and demand Uncle Lucius and Aunt Narcissa to hold the wedding."

Draco gritted his teeth, recalling the tiny ceremony his parents held for them in the garden. Most of their close relatives were there, baring presents. Draco was dressed in his best dress robe and Lyra was wearing a wedding dress. They sat together in their little table, where he told Lyra that he loved her and placed the ring on her finger. Everyone cheered and clapped and his father held his sobbing mother.

Draco gasped and slapped himself on the head. "That was a real wedding?" he exclaimed, falling onto the floor in despair.

"No, it wasn't," Lyra told him, "and stop with these theatrics."

Draco sighed in relief and went to sit on his bed. Lyra waited until Draco was fully relaxed before she said, "It was an engagement party."

Lyra climbed onto Draco's bed and saw that he was asleep, or fainted was the better word to describe his state. "Goodnight, love." She said, moving the strands of hair from his face and pulling the covers over him. When Draco awoke a few hours later, he found Lyra fast asleep beside him. Frowning, Draco pulled the covers off him but realized that he couldn't leave, for she was sleeping on his arm. Draco gently pushed Lyra off him and found a laced rope tied on his wrist, connecting to Lyra's wrist. Lyra was awoken by Draco's glass breaking scream. She cupped her ears and secretly prayed Draco's voice would cease to be so sharp soon.

"What's the matter?" she groaned, though she knew the reason already.

"THIS!" Draco shouted, pulling at the rope.

Lyra looked at the rope and shrugged. She had tied their wrist together while he was asleep and planned to keep it on for the rest to the holidays, just to make Draco suffer.

"Oh...this." Lyra lazily sat up, and rested her head on Draco's shoulder.

Draco shirked and pulled away from her. "Why did you tie us together?" he demanded.

"We haven't seen each other in months and I want to spend the rest of the holidays with you."

"But why did you tie us together?" he repeated, getting anger by the minute.

"I want to spend every second with you." she smiled.

"MUMMY! HELP! HELP!" Draco screamed. He jumped off the bed, dragging Lyra with him, and stumped his feet on the floor.

Narcissa rushed into Draco's room to see what the commotion was about and saw their tied hands.

"How adorable." she said, holding their tied hands up.

"I see," said Lucius, following his wife in, "How...creative."

"They are so perfect together." said Veralidaine, clapping her hands.

Draco sniffed, glaring at his father and Veralidaine, and sent sad, watery eyes to his mother. "But mum, what if I have to go to the bathroom?" he whined.

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before..." Lyra said.

Draco glared at Lyra.

"All right, fine," said Lyra.

Draco huffed, thinking he was finally getting his way.

Lyra waited a few seconds before she said, "I'll turn around."

"MUM!" he screamed, "MAKE HER UNTIE ME!"

"Draco!" Lyra shouted above him, causing him to stop. "I'm hungry, aren't you?"

Draco was, but he wouldn't admit it to her.

"How about we have some sweets in the garden?" Lyra decided, pulling Draco with her without waiting for him to respond. "Veralidaine?"

"Coming,"

%

It was the Malfoy's annual winter ball and Lyra was making sure that everyone saw her and Draco together. Especially, all of the young and older witches who thought they could actually steal Draco from her. It wasn't as if she had romantic feelings for him, other than brotherly love, but Lyra had to keep her face up to show that she and Draco are the perfect couple. Narcissa and Lucius were always reminding her that Draco was her fiancé. He belonged her to and she to him. Their union was planned before their birth and nothing could change it. If that was how it was going to be, Lyra thought she might as well make the best of it.

"Keep still Draco." Lyra ordered him, while she straightened his dress robes and patted his hair down.

Draco frowned, but did as he was told. He learned years ago that if he disobeyed Lyra, especially when they are expected to attend a ball together, there'll be dire consequences from Lyra and his parents.

"Are you going to untie me now?" Draco asked for the millionth time. The decision to untie them was given to Lyra by his parents the night he ordered a House elf to give him a knife to cut the rope. When the rope didn't budge he attempted to cut Lyra's hand off, while she slept. But the traitorous House elf popped out and tattled to his parents about his scheme and he was severally punished. The House elves were ordered to not obey him and only Lyra for the rest of the holiday. Draco was crossed. Whenever he wanted something he had to ask Lyra nicely (or else she wouldn't do it) to tell the House elves get it for him.

"No."

"But – but everyone will see -" Draco held his wrist up, "this!"

"That's the idea. Come." Lyra said sharply.

Draco stuck his tied hand in his pocket and mumbled to himself about revenge and things he'd do to her, until they entered the ball room. Lyra pulled Draco's hand from his pocket and laced their fingers together. As they arrived there were echoes of oh and awes from the guests, mutter of how attractive and perfect they were. Lyra smiled as sweetly as she could and curtsied, while Draco followed suite with a proper deep bow. The guests' reaction to the rope was positive. They saw it as a lovely symbolic representation of their union and unyielding devotion for one another. The couple was applauded for their creativity.

"When is this going to be over?" Draco whined to Lyra as they shared yet another dance.

"Only two more songs to go and we're done for the night." Lyra replied.

"Two more?" Draco whined, drag his feet and pulling at his bow tie when he thought no one was watching. "Why's it getting more and more? Last ball we only have to dance twelve times. Now fifteen?"

"Tell it to your father." Lyra commented, which she knew would make him shut his mouth for the next hour in fear his father was behind him and could hear him complain.

As Lyra danced, she gazed at Veralidaine to see if she was all right. Veralidaine smiled in response, mouthing that she was fine, and turned her attention back the group of boys surrounding her.

"Want to join your little mate?" Draco drawled.

Lyra arched an eyebrow at him, "Jealous?"

"No!" Draco shouted, causing guests to turn their head to see what the commotion was about.

"You're absolutely right Draco. The Banchory Bangers should have been disbanded sooner." said Lyra, causing the guests to turn back and continue with whatever they were doing earlier.

Draco huffed and roughly took Lyra's hands and silently continued with their dance. After the awaited two sounds were played, the couple mentally breathed a sigh of relief and flexed their sore ankles.

"Draco!" Pansy shouted over the music and ran to them.

"Oh, look Draco. You girlfriend's here." Lyra off handedly commented.

Draco groaned at this for he was tired and wanted to sleep in his soft and comfy bed. Without a word, he took Lyra's hand and pulled her into the crowd.

"That was very rude of you," said Lyra as he pulled her away.

Draco looked at Lyra with a frown and then looked at Pansy. He looked back at Lyra, pulled her to his chest and pressed his lips on her. Lyra knew it was just for show and he probably did it to spite her and Pansy. She would let him have what little fun he needed to please his shattered ego. Draco looked at the mirror behind him and searched for Pansy's reflection. Meanwhile, Lyra untied the bow tie on Draco's collar that had gradually made him uncomfortable throughout the night and straightened his collar. Pansy gasped at the sight before her and loudly sobbed, running to the other side of the room. Draco released Lyra and smirked. He could kiss Lyra on cue as it was only for display, but he becomes upset when Lyra would kiss him when he's off guard. Or when she suddenly develops the urge to tease him.

Lyra took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brows, "I think you broke her heart."

Draco scoffed, leveling his cheeks and lips for her to wipe. "She'll recover."

He may not enjoy it when Lyra teases him, but Draco does enjoy it when she decides to tend to him. When they entered Draco's room, Lyra told the House elf to fluff their pillows, massage their aching feet, and help remove their garments.

"I'm going to be sore for days." groaned Draco, sitting on his bed and placing his feet in a bucket of ice.

"You're lucky you don't have to wear heels." Lyra winced as the House elf rubbed the salve over her skin.

Draco reclined on the plush pillows, looked down at Lyra's feet and cringed. "I bet you the designer purposely made those to maim women's feet."

"Probably," Lyra agreed, ordering another House elf to remove the tight pins on her hair.

Lyra looked down at the rope entwining her and Draco. She pulled the rope apart and released both of them. Draco swiftly pulled his arm from her and rubbed it. He smiled, glad she finally untied them after two and half torturous weeks.

"I decided to return to school before the start of term." she told him.

The smile on Draco's face faded, "Why?" he demanded to know, "Don't tell me you're a teacher's pet now?" he spat out.

Lyra ignored Draco's outburst and gazed at him, with a challenge, "Don't tell me you me miss already?"

"No!" Draco retorted.

"Then why are you upset?"

Draco opened his mouth and close. He was lost for words. He didn't want to tell her he would miss her. That he had truly missed those pasted months and was dying to see her again, until she attacked him and tied him to her. When she was gone he felt empty, like a part of him was missing. It was the same feeling he felt when Lyra had left for her first year at Durmstrang. He thought he was going to be happy, since he had his parents all to himself then. But his father was always busy in his study and although his mother spent all her time with him, she was awful at playing games and there were no limits with her. He truly missed Lyra and their game of matching wits, and that she would say no to him if needed.

"You of all people should be overjoyed, Draco."

"Fine! Go! Who needs you?" Draco shouted, stumping into the bathroom. Though his feet were causing him sever pain, he did not want her to see him cry.

***

Some situations, events, and dialogue taken from JK Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" Chapters 10 - 13
- 5
- 6
- 7
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